Francis Ngutswen, Senior Special Assistant on Special Groups Mobilisation to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, has denied issuing a circular calling on support groups to stage a grand welcome for President Bola Tinubu ahead of his visit to the state
A document dated June 16, 2025, and bearing Ngutswen’s signature had surfaced online, stating that, on behalf of Governor Alia, support groups were to form a “colourful shoulder-to-shoulder procession” from the airport to the Government House in Makurdi to welcome the President.
“I am pleased to notify you at the instance of our dear Governor, His Excellency, Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Leader of the All Progressives Congress in Benue State, to mobilize massively to give a rousing welcome to our President,” the statement read in part.
According to the circular, the supporters were to accompany Tinubu from the Airport to Wurukum Roundabout, down to the Government House where he would address a town-hall meeting.
The document surfaced shortly after the announcement of Tinubu’s scheduled visit to Benue State on Wednesday. The visit follows a deadly attack on Yelewata community by suspected herdsmen, which left over 200 people dead and sparked nationwide outrage.
The circular has drawn widespread criticism, with many Nigerians accusing the state government of insensitivity for organizing a celebratory welcome at a time of national mourning.
“This is how to know an unserious government,” one user wrote on X. “The President is coming to visit and you’re planning a welcome parade with dancing and uniforms after the massacre of over 200 people.”
Another post read, “If the IGP could organise a rural gathering during a crisis, what do you expect from a state aide? To them, it’s politics as usual and an early campaign rally for 2027.”
To verify the authenticity of the circular, The Guardian checked the phone number listed on the document using Truecaller, which identified the number as belonging to Francis Ngutswen Alia.
When contacted on Tuesday, Ngutswen denied authoring the circular, insisting it did not originate from his office.
“The circular is not from my office. We are doing everything to take it down,” he told The Guardian in a phone call.
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